Pennsylvania
Related: About this forumPittsburgh - Need some tourist advice.
Hi, Going to have a free day with the wife and kids (ages 16 & 19) in Pittsburgh next week. Haven't been there since the 70s. What should I do?
He's what I am thinking so far:
Visit the Strip
Ride the inclines up to Ft Washington. (Which one is cooler? Duquesne or Monongahela?)
Warhol Museum (sadly closed on the day I'll be there.)
Lunch at Primanti Brothers.
See a Pirates game (they are home, but the game would end to late to safely get home to No. Va.)
What else an I missing?
Any restaurant recommendations? (Wife and oldest son are foodies)
Thanks
VAliberal
(297 posts)Since moving to the Pittsburgh area, I've discovered the Sharp Edge - one location is across the street and down the block from the convention center downtown. They have a great selection of microbrews & food. I'm partial to their duck & fig pizza.
scheming daemons
(25,487 posts)Rivers Casino (for 21 and older)
Kennywood! (Lots of changes since 70s, your teens will love it)
I absolutely second Sharp Edge. I took two recent trips to Pittsburgh and could not get enough of this place. They have something like 30 Belgian beers on tap--it was heaven!
My sister and i enjoyed The Strip a lot, and we paid $10 for Standing Room Only tickets to a Pirates game, then walked around the stadium, watched a bit of the game, and hung out at the bar. It was a good deal. We also took a boat to and from the game to the pickup place for our hotel--that was very cool and I recommend getting to the game that way if you can.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)The National Aviary is in Pittsburgh. And the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is my favorite. Someone mentioned Kennywood, and with teens, that might be a good choice. I think the kids would be bored at The Strip, and you might be surprised at the changes since the 70's---much more upscale than it was, but I always enjoy it. And of course Primanti Brothers is there. I am sure it is sacrilege for me to say this, but I don't think it is worth the wait for that sandwich!
FSogol
(45,356 posts)Kennywood would be fun, but it would take the entire day. If I was there 2 days, we would. I'd like them to see the character of the city.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)What interests you the most? Here is a link to a list of several there with a description of them:
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-museums-in-pittsburgh/
I have not been to all of them. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History/Museum of Art (both for the price of one) will take a whole day too. At least if you are anything like me. Phipps Conservatory is plants/gardens and always presented so well. The Mattress Factory is too contemporary for my taste, but many people love it. The Carnegie Science Center sounds great, but seems to be geared more toward middle school---although I have had fun there too....and they have the best Omnimax theater I have ever been to see---the screen isn't flat, but curves so that you REALLY feel it.
The National Aviary (more zoo for birds than museum): http://www.aviary.org/vis/daily.php
FSogol
(45,356 posts)Since we are from No. VA, we are quite spoiled for museums thanks to the Smithsonian Musuems in DC. I'd go see the Warhol museum, but it is closed on my free day.
The Aviary seems cool.
Thanks for the responses.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)But it did sound interesting.
Pat Riot
(446 posts)Walk down through the Strip District, eat lunch at Primantis do the History Center, It's only 6 or so more blocks, then over the bridge to PNC Park.
Or are you all up for that much walking? Whereabouts in town are you staying? How "into sports" are the kids? A good portion of Heinz is sports history, and there's also a hall of fame you can see over at Heinz Field.
The Aviary is cool, our zoo is pretty good, too. There's an acrylic tunnel you can go under the polar bear pond. Pretty freaky to see one of them swimming above you.
The Aviary, Warhol, both stadiums, and also Carnegie Science Center are on the North Side.
The Carnegie Museums are in Oakland, the college neighborhood a couple miles east of downtown. The Zoo is in another east neighbourhood, Highland Park.
babydollhead
(2,231 posts)it really gives the flavor of the city.
Pittsburgh Glass Center is a great place.
Take them to where you liked to be.
Enjoy the people. explain the great changes that a post industrial plundered city has gone through and come out the other side, with flying colors!
FSogol
(45,356 posts)Stay awesome.
Obama Headquarters is at 14th and Smallman, on the same side as the History Center about 2 blocks up.
livetohike
(22,084 posts)We took the Just Ducky Tour of Pgh in June when my brother in law and his partner were home for vacation. It only took an hour or so on the tour. Good overview of the city and it goes on land and in the river.
http://www.justduckytours.com/
PA Democrat
(13,225 posts)Also the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is great and is only about a half mile from Phipp's. The Carnegie has one of the best collections of dinosaur bones in the world. Both are located adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh campus and Schenley Park.
JPZenger
(6,819 posts)Across the street from the Carnegie is the U. of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning and the Heinz Chapel. There are some tours of the international rooms on the main floor of the Cathedral, which are worth seeing.
There is also a great deal of activity over at the South Side Works, which is a complex of newer development.
http://www.southsideworks.com/
Station Square used to be an interesting place, but it has gone downhill.
If you are driving to Pittsburgh from the south, you might want to do a detour and see FL Wright's Fallingwater.
kooljerk666
(776 posts)at 6 years of age & still remember it pretty well. It was the Tyrannosaurus Rex I saw outside of a book.
If ya have not been to a museum in a while, this was a nice one.
I remember there was a pretty big zoo there, I would guess it is better now. Zoo's, in general, have done a lot to improve quality of life of residents.
Mc Mike
(9,106 posts)That's on West Carson St. (State route 837), the first right turn just west of the Ft. Pitt Bridge off ramp. You could hunt around for parking at the top of the Mon Incline, in the residential area, but it's all zoned residential 2 hr. permit parking. You'll have to pay for parking at the bottom of the Mon Incline. The Duq incline won't make you wait, but the Mon will hold the car until passengers build up on top and bottom.
The Duq. Incline has a cheap (25 cents, I think) tour of the mechanics of the system, and a lot of historical photos at its top station. There are a bunch of 'Mt. Washington' restaurants by the top station. The most reasonably priced of the upscale ones is the Georgetown Inn. You don't have to have a reservation, you can dine with a view, and you don't have to dress up. Go a little before the lunch or dinner rush, and you can get window seats. The only 'neighborhood priced' restaurant in the top terminal area is the Grandview Saloon (now the Coal Hill Steakhouse at the Grandview Saloon.) That's pub food, not really for foodies, but it still has the view of the city and valley.
Vincent's Pizza and Pasta has good Italian food. It's at Mansfield Ave. and the intersection with Poplar (State route 121), right by the Interstate 376 West (Parkway West).
If you walk East Carson between South 8th and 25th, you get a combo of neighborhood and college student businesses and eateries. Skip the yuppie pre-fab Hot Metal Works in the high South 20's. Overpriced boutiques, and architecture wise, a big faux pas.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Mc Mike
(9,106 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)Mc Mike
(9,106 posts)HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)They also seem to have an unwritten law against fixing pot holes.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Fort Pitt Museum
The Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, is a two-floor, 12,000-square-foot museum that tells the story of Western Pennsylvanias pivotal role during the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, and as the birthplace of Pittsburgh.
The strategic location of the fort at the Forks of the Ohio River helped to shape the course of American and world history.
First opened in 1969 in a reconstructed bastion, the Fort Pitt Museum provides visitors with a rich understanding of the world-changing events that occurred right here in Western Pennsylvania.
Through interactive exhibitions, life-like historical figures, and recently added artifacts, visitors will learn the important role our region played in shaping the United States.
link
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)What did you end up doing? And what did you think of whatever that was?
FSogol
(45,356 posts)Last edited Sat Aug 25, 2012, 04:09 PM - Edit history (1)
We visited relatives around New Stanton and Greensburg over the weekend, got up early Monday and drove into the city.
Arrived just after rush hour and took a Duckee tour (city & river tour in an Amphibious vehicle)
Then we rode up the Monongahela Incline.
We drove over to the Heinz History Center
Then went to the strip, shopping and eating at
Enrico Biscotti Company
Klavons
Mullaney's Harp & Fiddles
PA Macaroni Company
Finished with dinner at Primanti Brothers.
Drove back home.
It was a beautiful day and very impressed at how nice the city looks. I was last there in the early 80s.
Thanks for all the advice. Next time I'll go to a Pirates game. The park looked great.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I have not been to the Heinz History Center....I will have to check it out one day. You are right, the city has come a long way from the 80's. Now if they could only make it easier to figure out how to get around! Since I live north of there, I am not just familiar with the streets and I go crazy driving it.